Tag Archives: money

“Do not wear yourself out to get rich; do not trust your own cleverness. Cast but a glance at riches, and they are gone, for they will surely sprout wings and fly off to the sky like an eagle.” (Proverbs 23: 4-5, NIV)

There is an old ditty about money that goes like this: “Money talks, and that’s no lie; I heard it once, it said, ‘bye-bye.'”

God’s wisdom reminds of the deceitfulness of riches, and warns us of the perils of chasing money. The bumper sticker says, “He who dies with the most toys wins.” However, the “winner” still dies and all of the “toys” he has accumulated will pass to someone else in an estate sale — or in a garage sale — at a small fraction of the original retail price!

The wise person works for the treasure that “moth and rust cannot corrupt; and thieves cannot break-in and steal.” The wise person does not work for the treasure that is here today and gone tomorrow; but for the treasure that is earned today and is remembered by the Creator of the universe for all time.  – Luther

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“Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy. Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the flesh.” (Romans 13:13-14, NIV)

To be clothed “with the Lord Jesus Christ” is as much of a choice for each of us as deciding what to wear each morning.

The “flesh,” represents all of the things that influence our choices: What to eat, what to drink, what to wear, where to live, what to drive, what to do to make a living. 

None of these things are bad, per se. In fact, Jesus acknowledged the necessity of food, water, clothing, and shelter in His “Sermon on the Mount” (Matthew 6:25-34). 

Yet, each day we have the freedom to choose whether we will be clothed with the Lord Jesus Christ and, therefore, choosing to have God feed both body and spirit; or, instead, devoting all of our attention to addressing our physical cravings, while neglecting the hunger of spirit that food cannot satisfy, that possessions cannot touch, and that money cannot buy.

Jesus said that we “do not live by bread alone” (Matthew 4:4). Are our daily choices evidence of our belief in these words and the Person who uttered them — or in something (or someone) else?  – Luther

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“Wisdom is a shelter as money is a shelter, but the advantage of knowledge is this: Wisdom preserves those who have it. (Ecclesiastes 7:12, NIV)

While many in this world pursue wealth because of its apparent security, Ecclesiastes reminds us that — compared to wisdom — money is an inferior shelter. 

Money cannot add years to our life, but wisdom will give life to our years. Money cannot reveal the secrets of life; but if a persons acquires wisdom, life’s secrets are revealed.

To live according to God’s wisdom is to have all of the things that money can’t buy.  – Luther

Reminder: “Daily Encouragement” will be on break tomorrow (as it is each Sunday).  Have a great day of rest, relaxation, and worship.  Lord willing, see you again on Monday!

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